Yorkshire Socialist Party regional conference

Growth in support and big donations to building fund

Mick Whale

The 4 February regional conference of Yorkshire Socialist Party was a tremendous success. Over 50 delegates attended and there was an optimistic mood, which reflected both the growth in support for the party in the region and the number of different campaigns branches have been involved in.

Socialist Party deputy general secretary Hannah Sell introduced the discussion on Britain, focusing on the political situation and how Jeremy Corbyn still faces enormous threats from the Blairite wing of MPs and councillors.

Contributions from the floor added to it by giving examples of the struggles against right-wing Labour council cuts.

Taking place the day after the health demonstrations in London and in most of the cities of Yorkshire, delegates agreed that the campaign to defend the health service would be a dominant one this year.

The conference also heard an inspiring report from Lenny Shail on the work of our socialist international organisation, the Committee for a Workers' International.

West Yorkshire organiser Iain Dalton introduced the discussion on the regional strategy for 2018, prioritising recruitment, youth work and political education.

Again, contributions from the floor showed how most of the branches had made progress.

The conference opened with a video of SP activities across the region, ending in a celebration of the life of Mary Jackson (longstanding Militant and Socialist Party member from Doncaster) who sadly passed away recently.

Maybe it was her inspiration that led to collective commitments to donate more than £13,000 towards the Party's building fund and a very good £330 towards the fighting fund.